Refrigerator closure



-NOV- 5, 1934- I w. G. SEEGER Er AL l 1,980,005

REFRIGERATOR CLOSURE Filed Feb. l2, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Gusta/ve Seegev Nov. 6, 1934. w G. sEEGER ET AL 1,980,005

REFRIGERATOR CLOSURE Filed Feb. 12, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 2 y 13.1? W1/g4 30 LD, 13 l z3 9 gnownocs Wai/ber 0. Seeger G11/slave' R. 5'66g6r duo: vut' Nov- 6, 1934. w. c. SEEGER -r A.. 1,980,005

REFRIGERATOR CLO SURE Ilm "lll f @l/Zier 6. Seeger GwsZa/z/e l2. Seeger @if 9,4 p4-g? atented Nov. 6, 1934 REFRIGERATOR CLOSURE 'Walther G. Seeger and Gustave R'. Seeger, St. Paul,

Minn., assignors to Seeger Refrigerator Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minneseta Application February 12, 1930, Serial No. 427,774

13 Claims.

Our invention relates to a new construction, particularly for refrigerator closures where it is designed to provide a door to close the opening of a refrigerator and wherein no wood or noni metallic parts are exposedabout the door edge with the exception of the door gasket.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a closure for a refrigerator which permits the inner and outer faces of the closure to be made l@ of metal or other suitable material which may be enameled with a vitreous enamel, or otherwise coated, to protect or decorate the surface of the same and wherein even the edges of the door are of metal and yet where these parts are connected l5 together in such a manner as to prevent conductivity of heat and cold from one face to the other face of the closure.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a closure wherein a gasket or gasket members are 2@ interposed between the connecting parts or coverings of the door which act as breaker means to prevent conductivity of heat or cold and also actv as gaskets to form a sealing medium about the door and opening so as to seal the refrigerator when the door is closed. We employ a double beaded gasket which also serves the function of providing an inner bead clamped within the parts of the door in such a manner that the gasket will not pull out and providing a construction where the means for clamping the parts of the door together and also for holding the gasket in place are concealed within the body of the door to make a neat appearing edge about the entire door.

Another feature of the invention resides in a door structure made with its entire outer covering of metal or similar material which may be covered with enamel or any suitable material to protect or decorate the surface of the same, and wherein certain structure is provided for holding the parts of the door together and also to brace the door or closure to make a strong, solid practical closure for a refrigerator, where the same must be subjected to heavy duty.

Other features and details of the invention will be more fully and clearly set forth in the specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view to illustrate in a simple manner a refrigerator and its closure.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of our door structure.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of our door structure.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional illustration of our door structure and a contacting portion of the refrigerator body.

Figure 5 is a perspective illustrating an inner frame portion of our door structure.

Figure 6 illustrates a perspective and ,section 60 of one form of gasket.

Figure '7 illustrates a perspective and section of another form of gasket employed in our door structure.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional detail of 65 our door structure.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross sectional detail of our door structure.

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of our door structure and a portion of the refrigerator.

Figure l1 is a pcrspective'view of the inner covering of one of our door structures.

Figure l2 is a perspective view of the intermediate connecting portion of one of our door structures.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the outer covering of one of our door structures. i

Figure 14 is a perspective view, a portion of which is broken away, of the brace structure used in the construction of our door illustrated in Figure 10.

In the drawings for convenience we have illustrated a portion of a refrigerator A in section in Figure 1, and also the door or closure B so as to show the relation between the parts of ther same. The refrigerator construction here employed is where the lining l0 of the refrigerator is made of metal or other suitable material which may be enameled with a vitreous enamel or otherwise protected, as well as the outer surface 11, and by means of a suitable breaker strip 12 about the door opening and which construction lis illustrated in another co-pendng application Serial No. 419,522, filed January 9, 1930, the entire refrigerator A may be made with a metal structure and yet the objectionable conducting of heat or cold about the refrigerator door opening is overcome.

It is the purpose of this invention to set forth the construction of the closure B in relation to the refrigerator A and wherein the outer face 13 and inner face 14 of the closure B -are made of metal or other suitable similar material, and to provide a breaker structure such as 15 between 105 the outer face 13 and the inner face 14 to prevent the conductivity of heat or cold from one to the other.

The construction of our closure B may be made in several different forms and in that illustrated in Figure 2 the .outer face i3 is ccnnectedto the inner face i4 by the breaker strip 15. The breaker strip l5 is also made of metal and the outer surfaces of the portions 13, 14 and 15, may be enameled or covered with any suitable decorative or protective material as may be desired. It is desirabie to enamel these parts so that they can be readily washed and cleansed at any time, leaving a smooth polished hard glass-like surface which is not ordinarily affected by moisture. In this manner we provide a door structure where 'no wooden or other non-metallicfportions are exposed between the outer face 13 and the inner face 14 oil the door' closure. The only non-metallic parts are the gaskets such as C which are clamped between the portions 13 and 14 and the connecting breaker strip 15.

It is a feature of our invention to use a particularly desirable gasket such as C and C' wherein an outer bead 16 is employed, and an inner bead 17, which are c onnected together by the web 18. In the form of the gasket C' the web 18 is narrower than in the form C. This will be clearly disclosed in Figures 6 and 7.

In Figure 2 we have illustrated the breaker strip 15 connected by the bolts 20 to the inner covering 14 of the door B and these bolts 20 are inclosed within the door structure in such a manner as to conceal the same. The other 'edge of the strip 15 is connected to the outer face 13 of the door B by the bolts 21. The heads of these bolts show on the inner edge of the strip 15. It may be noted that the gasket strips C are clamped with the outer bead 16 exposed while the inner bead 17 is anchored within the door structure and is concealed therein, and thus the gaskets C are heldagainst easily being misplaced or pulled out and yet provided with a large bead 16 which forms the gasket to engage against the surface about -the door opening of the refrigerator A to seal the refrigerator when the door B is closed.

In Figure 3 we have illustrated the breaker strip 15 connected by the bolts 22 and 23, the heads of which are exposed in the same manner as the head of the bolts 21. The functions of this structure are-identical with -that of Figure 2 in the breaking of the contact between the outer face .13 and the inner face 14, and thus by means of insulating C we provide a double function to break the conductivity between the portions 13 and 14 and also to provide a sealing means about the door when it is closed.

In Figure 4 we have illustrated the breaker strip 12 of the refrigerator A in enlarged formation to conform'with the door B and to show the manner in which the gasket C contacts with the breaker strip 12 which forms a. shoulder for engaging the inner gasket strip C of the door B. In this construction of the door B the inner gasket C is held by the bolts 20 to connectl the inner edge of the breaker strip 15 the same as illustrated in Figure 2. The outer portion of the breaker strip 15 illustrated in Figure 4 is connected to the inner frame brace D by the bolts 25. This frame D is formed with a flange 26 which pinches under the inturned edge 27 of the outer door covering 13 and pinches the gasket between this inturned edge 27 and the edge 28 of the breaker strip 15. A

When the door B is put together as illustrated in Figure 4, the frame D is embedded in between the outer face 13 and the inner face 14 and a strip of insulating material 29I is laid between the frame and thev outer face 13 and the screws 30 ofthe door hinge 31 engage with the frame D together.

in a manner to hold-the parte connected te# gather."v

In each of the doors E any 'suitable insulating material is held between the door coverings 13 and 14. En Figure 3 we have illustrated a Vmore simple form of our door E where a frame such as D similar to the frame D may be ein played to hold the outer face i3 connected with the inner face 14. In this construction we do not use the breaker strip 15 but use the bolts 32 which operate similar to the bolts 25 and whereinthe flange 26 engages under the inturned edge 27 of the door facing 13 to hold the parts In this structure of Figure 8 of the door, we use the closely coupled gasket C. The other side of the door is held by the bolts or screws, such as 30.

Our door B may be made also in the structure illustrated in Figure 9 without the breaker strip 15 and in this construction suitable bolts 33 hold the gasket insulating strip C in place with the ilange 34 of the inner face 14 clamped against the inturned ange 27 of the outer face 13. When our door B is made as illustrated in Figure 10 the outer face 13 is connected by the brace members 35 which extend transversely across the inside of the face 13 laying against'the insulating material 29. This brace 35 is formed with flanges 36 which operate similar to the flange 26 to engage under the inturned edge 27 of the outer face 13 and the other side of the braces 35 are held by the bolts or screws 37 which hold the hinge 31 on to the door B. In this construction of the door, we have illustrated in Figure 11, the inner face or covering 14 fonthe door B, and in 110 Figure 13 the outer covering or face 13. These two Figures 11 and 13 will show the inner and outer faces of the door structure of Figure 10.

In this door structure of Figure 10, an intermediate breaker strip 15' is employed made of 115 the structure and nature as illustrated in Figure 12 and connected with the cooperating yparts in Figure 10. It will be noted that in this structure bolts 38 hold the inner gasket C in place to form the insulator between the inner surface 120 14 and the breaker strip 15' and this gasket is held in a little different manner than in the other door structures. The other portion oi' the breaker strip15' in this structure of door is connected by the bolts 39 to the upstanding flange 40 of 10,5 the brace 35 and an insulating strip 41 may be provided between the parts. In connecting the parts, the parts of the door B of Figure 10, the short coupled gasket C' is used between the breaker strip 15' and the inturned flange 27 of 130 the outer face 13 as illustrated.

In each of the door structures set forth and described the primary feature resides in forming a door with a metal outer covering which may be enameled, painted or decorated to protect and 13@ cover the outer surface of the metal in any suitable manner and to provide a door without any wooden connecting parts between the inner and outer faces 13 and 14, but rather with only the gasket portions C and C exposed. The gaskets C and C are made of a material to provide an outer water-proofed covering so that they can be washed and so that they will'not ordinarily be affected by moisture.

As has been described, Figures 8 and 9 disclose structures wherein but one gasket is used. If it is desired, the door structures illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 10, may also be formed in this manner, one gasket, preferably the inner gasket, being eliminated entirely. The metal parts could 150 I then be bolted directly together, or any ordinary insulating strip may be inserted between the metal parts.

The gaskets C provide the function of breaking or insulating the connecting parts of the door faces 13 and 14- and also provide a sealing gasket means about the door closure. Heretofore refrigerator doors have been made with wood connecting parts between the outer face 13 and the inner face le or parte made of fibre or other non-metallic material, and such construction is undesirable. We have provided a door structure wherein all metal parts may be used for the exposed surfacesof the door, even the rabbetted edges so that a very sanitary and desirable structure is accomplished thrgughout the arrangement of the parts herein specified and described. The use of a double beaded gasket to insulate and break contacting between the parts and to act as a sealing medium. together with the preventing of the gasket from pulling out of place accomplishes certain results which have marked advantages over the practice of mainng refrigerator closures or doors heretofore.

ln accordance with the patent statutes we have v described the principles of our door closure and refrigerator closure, and while we have illustrated certain arrangement and formation of the parts, we desire to have it understood that the same is only suggestive of a means of carrying out the principles of our invention and that variations may be accomplished within the scope of the following claims without departing from the purpose and intent thereof.

We claim:

1. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer metal coverings, an inturned ange on one of said coverings, a metal frame enclosed by said coverings and secured to the other of said coverings, and a flange on said frame adapted to extend under said inturned flange to connect said covery ings.

2. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer metal faces, an inturned flange on one of said faces, a metal frame secured to the other of said faces, a flange on said frame adapted to extend beneath said inturned flange to hold said faces together, and a gasket interposed between said inner face and said outer face.

3. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer metal faces, an inturned edge on saidouter face, a metal frame adapted to be connected to opposite sides of the inner face, a flange on said frame adapted to extend beneath said inturned edge of said outer face along one side thereof, and bolts for securing said frame to said outer i'ace adjacent the opposite side thereof.

4. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer covering sheets, a flange on each of said sheets about the edge thereof extending in parallel partially overlapping relationship, a bearing surface on one of said flanges adjacent and beyond the overlapping portion thereof, a gasket clamped between said overlapping anges, and a head on said gasket resting against said bearing surface.

5. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer covering sheets, side edges formedon said covering sheets, flanges on said side edgesextending in parallel partially overlapping relationship and parallel to the covering sheets, a gasket strip, means for clamping said. gasket strip between the overlapping flanges, a bead on said gasket, and a bearing surface beyond and adjacent the overlapping portion on-one of said flanges.

6. A refrigerator closure including, inner and outer covering sheets, flanges on said sheets, a

. rabbetted connector between said sheets, an overlapping flange on either sideof said connector each of which is parallel to a flange on one of said sheets, gaskets clamped between the overlapping portions of the flanges, and a bearing portion on one of said flanges adjacent each overlapping connection.

7. .A refrigerator closure including, two metal sheets, a flange on one of said sheets, an edge on the other of said sheets extending in parallel relation to, and partially overlapping, said flange, a double beaded gasket having two beads connected by a :dat connecting portion, means for clamping said dat portion extending parallel between said ilange and said edge of the other sheet, the portion of the ange not overlapped by said sheet providing a bearing lsurface for the exposed bead of the gasket.

d. A closure for a refrigerator including, an outer covering, an inner covering, a breaker connector, an external exposed surface on said coverings and connector, gasket strips interposed continuously between said inner and outer coverings and said connecting breaker strip and overlying a portion of said external exposed surface on said coverings and connector to provide a breaker insulator to prevent heat from. traveling from one to the other of sad inner` and outer coverings, and a bearing surface forming a part of said external exposed surface on said connector against which said strips may bear.

9. A closure for a refrigerator including, an outer covering, an inner covering, external surfaces thereon, a double beaded gasket having its 110 :dat intermediate portion interposed between the same, one bead of the gasket being concealed within the door and adapted to hold the gasket from pulling out of place, and the other bead of the gasket being exposed on the door edge over- 115 lying a portion of. the said external surface of one of said coverings to provide a cushion and sealing medium about the door edge, and means for clamping the flat intermediate portion of said gasket.

10. A closure for a refrigerator including, an inner covering sheet, an outer covering sheet, external surfaces thereon, a gasket having two longitudinal beaded portions with a connecting web therebetween, and means for clamping the connecting web of said gasket between said inner and outer covering sheets .overlying a portion of said external surface of one of said covering sheets to provide a breaker between the inner and outer covering sheets of said closure to overcome conductivity.

11. A refrigerator closure having an inner and outer metal covering, external exposed and internal concealed surfaces thereon, a gasket insu- 1ator`having a double longitudinal bead connected 135 by a dat portion, and clamping means for pinching the fiat portion of said gasket between said inner and outer metal coverings with one of said longitudinal beads concealed within the body of the closure and the other exposed and overlying said coverings and overlying a portion of the extornai exposed surface of said strip to form cushioning strips. and a surface on said connecting strip forming a part of said external exposed surface against which the overlying portion of one of said cushioning strips may bear.

A WALTER G. BEEGER.

GUBTAVE EBEEGER. 

